Draft Watcher Knightmare's 2018 AFL Draft Almanac

[Thunderstruck]

I can't say I rated Lochowiak's performance. It was an almost game - with his hands and delivery sloppy on several occasions.

The player I'm thinking about was dominant during the first half and had that almost Dangerfield/Judd-like ball winning but then burst away from the contest.

I have another day to consider it still, but I'm very strongly considering including this player in my top-20 power rankings for June *coming later in the week after tomorrow's weekly wrap.

I will say Tom Sparrow, especially the first quarter. 8 clearances and burst through packs, fended off and showed a lot of strength and power. See my review in SA V WA game thread.

 

[CaptainMurphy]

I can't say I rated Lochowiak's performance. It was an almost game - with his hands and delivery sloppy on several occasions.

The player I'm thinking about was dominant during the first half and had that almost Dangerfield/Judd-like ball winning but then burst away from the contest.

I have another day to consider it still, but I'm very strongly considering including this player in my top-20 power rankings for June *coming later in the week after tomorrow's weekly wrap.

Tom Lewis maybe?

 

[footylover18]

Every champs lesser known players who get noticed. For SA I think Lewis, Jarvis and Sparrow gave themselves a platform to build on in the next few games. Tom Lewis has been playing really well at SANFL reserves level for Sturt so he was building quite well. Size is his only issue.

he plays bigger than his size though. may well lead the champs in tackles.

 

[Knightmare]

How'd English go? Stats wise looked impressive.

Kicking could have been better, but was winning it.

I speak more about him in my weekly wrap.

 

[Knightmare]

Sparrow

I will say Tom Sparrow, especially the first quarter. 8 clearances and burst through packs, fended off and showed a lot of strength and power. See my review in SA V WA game thread.

Sparrow is the guy.

 

[Knightmare]

This weeks weekly wrap with a focus on the best prospect I've seen in my 10 years of watching the u18s: http://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/...mare-jack-lukosius-best-draft-prospect-decade

 

[GUMBLETRON]

Knightmare, a question - what did you think of Jack Watts as a junior?

 

[Knightmare]

Knightmare, a question - what did you think of Jack Watts as a junior?

Never watched him as a junior. I'm aware he had an exciting u18 champs and tested very well though.

The 2008 TAC Cup Grand Final was the first time I really looked at any junior footy with more than a passing interest - watching Sidebottom go off, Sam Wright show glimpses. From 2009 I started watching the u18s and took more of an interest, wanting to know more about the draft and craving that knowledge, having been a long time wanna-be list manager from early childhood.

Without watching any others from 2008 outside of the TAC Cup granny, my uneducated perception at the time was that Naitanui sounded like the most exciting from that year, but not having really watched him, or anyone before him as juniors, I can't comment whether Lukosius at the same age/stage is the best ever at that point or whether there are 1-2 others who projected to be even more special. In digging back though and going through the names, I'm not seeing anyone who at the same age/stage was looking as exciting.

Maybe a Lockett or someone of comparable talent if they were great as juniors could have been better at the same age/stage, but he was pre-draft era.

 

[crispy creme]

KM, just wondering how many times you've been able to watch Lukosius and Rankine live?

 

[Knightmare]

KM, just wondering how many times you've been able to watch Lukosius and Rankine live?

Probably 2-3 times in person then probably nearing 10 or so games through the monitor.

 

[bungalow_bill]

That was in the third quarter. Pulled the kick across his body, and watching on youtube, you could hear everyone laugh and gasp and start talking about how there's almost no one in the AFL that can do that.

IIRC Cameron did something similar in a recent Lions game,can't remember which.

 

[fridgeman]

Hey Knightmare as always love your work and dedication and hope the ESPN guys are looking after you
Quick question and I am sure the answer is in the earlier pagers but where do you see Bailey Smith going in the draft at this stage and which current player would you liken him to?
Thanks

 

[PMBangers]

James Rowbottom has impressed me recently, maybe even enough to be pushing into top 30, what are your thoughts on him at the moment?

 

[Knightmare]

Hey Knightmare as always love your work and dedication and hope the ESPN guys are looking after you
Quick question and I am sure the answer is in the earlier pagers but where do you see Bailey Smith going in the draft at this stage and which current player would you liken him to?
Thanks

I have a Bailey Smith profile up on page one if you're interested in more insight on him.

My June power rankings should also be up by weeks end, so you'll be interested to see where he is in my rankings.

In May I rated Smith as the 3rd best talent in the draft and he's someone I see as a pick 2-10 prospect. I've heard some others talking about him as someone who goes somewhere around 10, but I'm confident the way he has played so far that anyone who is paying attention will rate him much higher than that. He's a top-10 choice who I've compared to Trent Cotchin - as a super ball winning mid who uses the footy as well as any of this years top end mids.

James Rowbottom has impressed me recently, maybe even enough to be pushing into top 30, what are your thoughts on him at the moment?

I don't think top 30 claims are unreasonable. I have him 20-30 myself. Good at stoppages, does all the contested stuff well, good tackler. He's also quick and has some class.

He's very draftable.

A good call.

 

[eDPS]

James Rowbottom has impressed me recently, maybe even enough to be pushing into top 30, what are your thoughts on him at the moment?

I have him at 14, really hoping they play him mostly midfield instead of half back at the champs which he has done on occasions.

 

[Knightmare]

I have him at 14, really hoping they play him mostly midfield instead of half back at the champs which he has done on occasions.

Not an unreasonable ranking.

 

[PostPaolo]

Hey Knightmare,

Knowing that owning the #1 pick has a changing value depending on the top prospect, I envisage previous #1's haven't been as valuable as 2018's #1.

If you were to trade the #1 pick what would be an equal trade in value in your opinion?

 

[GUMBLETRON]

If you were to trade the #1 pick what would be an equal trade in value in your opinion?

Dignity.

 

[eDPS]

Dignity.

 

[bmaurizio]

I envy whichever team is able to snare Lukosius, he's an enormous talent, certainly would resolve some of Baggers scoring issues.
Placed beside Charlie wow they’dcreate mayhem, good luck to defenders trying to keep up and mark them.

 

[M Malice]

I envy whichever team is able to snare Lukosius, he's an enormous talent, certainly would resolve some of Baggers scoring issues.
Placed beside Charlie wow they’dcreate mayhem, good luck to defenders trying to keep up and mark them.

Or Hipwood and Lukosius.

 

[GUMBLETRON]

I envy whichever team is able to snare Lukosius

Evidently. You have 67 posts on the poor kid already and there are another 5 months to the draft!

 

[Wymo]

Anyone aware of any live streams for the this next round of Championship games?

 

[LemmingMaster]

Anyone aware of any live streams for the this next round of Championship games?

I hope they copy SANFL and stream it.

 

[Knightmare]

Hey Knightmare,

Knowing that owning the #1 pick has a changing value depending on the top prospect, I envisage previous #1's haven't been as valuable as 2018's #1.

If you were to trade the #1 pick what would be an equal trade in value in your opinion?

Pick 1 this year is more valuable than in years past.

It's also a year you're be crazy to trade the top pick (and not take Lukosius) and likely in the future get denigrated for the move of. If you have two key forwards already, use him as Adelaide use Tom Lynch.

If that club with the top pick does move it, you have to look at which club needs it most and has the most to offer.

For a Lukosius he probably develops more rapidly and becomes a better player long term if he joins a club with more veterans and more experience, because he'll have guys to learn off v a young team where he doesn't - as per past early picks.

Who needs that key forward? Collingwood and Geelong more than most but cases could be made for any club.

What should they give up? What is roughly the value?

Collingwood should be willing to offer one of Moore/De Goey, a first round choice and a second round choice.

Geelong don't really have enough good players in the right age group, but they should be willing to give up a first round pick, Duncan and Cockatoo.

Even with those offers I wouldn't be accepting if I can get Lukosius, but that is around what the expected worth would be.